“What does that mean?”
His beautiful eyes softened as he watched her. “It means there’s a very strong bond between us. I’d like to make it permanent.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Mates are for life. It means I’m offering to care for you, share everything that I have with you, and will protect you. I’d even die for you.”
He meant it. The sincerity in his gaze left no question.
“You don’t love me.”
An eyebrow arched. “Don’t I?”
“We just met.”
“Do you feel bonded to me?”
She did. The guy always made her feel. He pissed her off, made her so turned-on she actually hurt with a need to touch him, and when she had thought he’d cheated it had nearly ripped her guts out. “But love? I’m not sure about that.”
“I am.”
He always surprised her. “You love me?”
His jaw clenched. “I do.”
“But we just—”
“It’s a VampLycan trait, sweetheart. We fall hard and fast. I liked your spirit and the way you stood up to me. I had a taste of your blood and I knew the first time I scented your arousal that you were mine.”
“What does that have to do with it?”
“It’s difficult to explain. Finding a mate doesn’t easily happen. You don’t want to know my actual age but I’ve looked for a long time for mine. You are it. We know after tasting the blood. If a woman is mate compatible it changes things inside our bodies. The first scent of arousal from that female affects us so greatly, it’s undeniable. My body knew you belonged to me. It’s as if for the first time in my life, I truly became alive.”
She had no words. Her mind tried to understand what he’d said but she had to admit she just couldn’t grasp the concept. He loved her. That part hadn’t gone unnoticed, but she couldn’t really believe it. They’d been together for such a short time. A lot had happened…but love?
“Have you ever felt instant attraction to someone the moment you met them?”#p#分页标题#e#
She thought about it. “Sure.”
“Humans learn to ignore their instincts. VampLycans rely on them to survive. We hone them. I didn’t need to date you for months or years to realize you were the right one for me, Dusti. My body, mind, and instincts told me what you meant to me. Feelings have to be involved, if that matters to you. If I weren’t so drawn to your personality, I wouldn’t want to be your mate.”
“I guess that’s good to know. Not that I’m saying I accept this but what does mating detail? Give me the mechanics.”
“You make it sound so cold.” His tone told her it saddened him.
“I don’t mean to.”
“You’ve been raised human. I try to remember that. I wish you hadn’t been or you would rejoice in finding your mate, as I do.”
“Sorry.”
“What do your instincts tell you about me? You’ve lived your life ignoring them, haven’t you?”
Dusti closed her eyes, trying to “feel” what her body might tell her. She had the urge to climb onto his lap and have him hold her. She missed being in his arms. She wanted the closeness and the feelings of warmth he gave her just by being near. She looked at him.
“My head screams run but my heart wants to stay with you.”
His expression softened. “Always listen to your heart.”
“I’d have to give up my life in Los Angeles, wouldn’t I?”
“Yes. It would be too dangerous otherwise. VampLycans can’t exist inside a city. I’m not sure how your mother was able to do it, to be honest. I could never change forms and run free. I’d do it for you but my spirit would wither. I don’t want to lie to you. I won’t stop you if you wish to return to your home but I will follow you there. You’re my mate. Where you go, I go. Every Lycan and Vampire would target us as well. They fear VampLycans and you’ll smell like me. Do you understand why it wouldn’t be safe? I’m an excellent fighter but we’d have entire packs and nests coming after us. I will gladly face that every day and night, though, if it keeps me close to you. My life is wherever you are, Dusti.”
She fought the desire to cry but tears filled her eyes anyway. She blinked them back. No man had ever said such wonderful things to her or expressed his feelings in a way that left no doubt she meant everything to him. He was pretty much saying he was willing to battle every day just to be by her side. “You’d still try to live there for me?”
“I’d wither without you faster. I’ve touched you and know how you make me feel. I can’t walk away from that. It would kill me for sure if you weren’t in my life. I wouldn’t want to go on.”